Lightweight candidate Paddy Pinblett has the sights locked in his year-end return, following his recent big win over Michael Chandler.
Currently ranked 8th in the official lightweight pile, Pinblett won the Octagon Best at UFC 314 earlier this year. Chandler, the third title challenger in the Miami Cards co-main event, was submitted with a naked choke behind the scenes of the third round.
With the victory, the outspoken Liverpool candidate won seven consecutive wins in Dana White-led promotions, following a final move from the Cage Warriors in 2020.
Paddy Pimblett welcomes the end of the year Justin Gaethje showdown
And, in search of a route to a lightweight crown by next year, Grappling Ace suggested that he return to the United Arab Emirates flagship card towards the end of this year.
“If I beat (Justin) Geshe, I’ll be in the next line (for the title),” Paddy Pinblett told TNT Sports this week. “He might be (next). That’s whether he says so… Abu Dhabi, October. That’s when I want to fight.”
As soon as next month, I’ll be holding that lightweight crown as well. Headlining UFC 317 International Fight Week, Ilia Topuria, a longtime nemesis of Pimblett, will be on a sophomore outing in Weight Class on the unoccupied title incident with Charles Oliveira, a former uncontroversial kingpin.
And with confidence in landing a future grim battle with Spanish finisher Topuria, Pinblett is extremely confident in passing his first professional defeat of the former featherweight champion.
“I’ve said that for years, I want to fight him,” continued Paddy Pinblett. “Now that he has moved to 55, that’s a real possibility. He looks like he’s just sitting waiting for Islam (Makachev), but I think he should be someone who welcomes him into the lightweight department.”
